Apparatus for lifting invalids



Feb. 10, 1942. P, A REUTER 2,272,778

APPARATUS FOR LIFTING INVALIDS INVENTOR.

Feb. 10, 1942. P. A. REUTER 2,272,778

APPARATUS FOR LIF'IING INVALIDS Filed Sept. 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V E N TOR.

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Feb. l0, 1942. P. A. REUTER APPARATUS FOR LIFTING INVALIDS 's sheets-shan s Filed Sept. 5, 1959 Patented Feb. l0, 1942 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR LIFTING INVALIDS Paul A. Reuter, Union, N. J.

Application September 5, 1939, Serial No. 293,383

l Claim.

This invention relates to a device or apparatus for lifting invalids or patients and is designed for use primarily in hospitals, sick rooms, operating rooms and the like.

In treating patients or invalids it is often necessary to raise the patient or invalid from his bed or stretcher or operating table. In general the patient is moved by hand necessitating the attendance of several persons, and in case the patient or invalid suffers from a delicate illness or is relatively heavy it may easily happen that injury or discomfort is caused to the patient or invalid. Various mechanical means have been suggested for lifting patients or invalids from their beds but such devices are complicated and in general insufficient to assure simple mechanical operation thereof and complete comfort and safety to the patient or invalid.

It is, therefore, one object of my invention to provide a simple mechanical device and apparatus for lifting patients or invalids which permits a single attendant to perform all necessary actions and which is completely safe and assures the patient or invalid of the greatest possible degree of comfort and of prevention of injury.

In handling patients or invalids it is often necessary to transfer such patient or invalid from his bed to a stretcher or a chair or from a stretcher or chair to a bed. No satisfactory device or apparatus for carrying out such transfer by simple mechanical means has existed heretofore and it is, therefore, another object of my inventionto provide a device or apparatus which will serve not only as a lifter for patients or invalids but which is also adapted to accomplish such transfer by simple mechanical means capable of being operated by a single attendant.

When a patient or invalid is being lifted or transferred from his bed or the like it is advantageous to maintain the patient or invalid in a position which assures him of the greatest possible degree of comfort. Such position may require adjustment from case to case as the best position for any given patient may vary according to circumstances or the nature of the case. It is, therefore, a further object of my invention to provide in the apparatus for lifting patients or invalids a lifter of simple construction adapted to vary the position of patient or invalid as may be desired.

In constructing a lifting device of the type described it is often necessary to provide av structure of relatively large dimensions, particularly when such device is also adapted to permit the transfer of the patient from his bed or the like to a stretcher or the like or vice versa, as is one of the objects of my invention. Such device may have dimensions such as to prevent easy transfer through narrow doors or the like, a fact which constitutes a considerable handicap in actual practice as it is often necessary to transport the device or apparatus from one sick room to another. It is, therefore, a still further object of my invention to provide a device or apparatus of the type described which while of sturdy and stable construction will permit easy and quick transportation through narrow doors from one room to another.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification and drawings. My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which:

Figure I is a perspective elevational frontal view of my lifting apparatus which for purposes of illustration is shown attached to the bed, the lifting hammock being in raised horizontal position over the bed,

Figure II is a perspective elevational side view of my lifting device attached to a bed, the lifting hammock being positioned on the side of the bed ready for lowering onto a stretcher or the like,

Figure III is a top plan view of the lifter,

Figure IV is a top plan view of the frame of my lifting device when in operative position,

Figure V is a top plan view of the frame of my lifting device when not in operation but ready for transportation,

Figure VI is a side view of the locking mechanism for rigidifying the framework of my lifting device when in operative position as in Figure IV,

Figure VII is a side view of the same locking mechanism for the framework of my lifting device when in non-operative position as in Figure V,

Figure VIII is an elevational View, partly in section, of the attachment of the cross bar to the supporting framework of my device, and

Figure IX is a partly sectional view of the attachment of certain braces to the vertical corner standards of my device.

Referring to the drawings in which like characters of reference designate similar parts in the various views, and specifically to Figures I and II, I designates a bed of an ordinary type surrounded by a frame consisting principally of four vertical corner uprights or standards 2, which may be of tubular shape or the like, two transverse horizontal base members 3, two transverse horizontal top members d, and two longitudinal horizontal members 5 which may consist of T-shaped bars or the like. The framework is shown secured to the bed I by clamps which may be of any shape but are preferably in the form of clamps as shown attached to the uprights 2 and provided with a flange bent upwardly to engage the framework of the bed. It is not necessary, however, that the frame be firmly attached or secured to the bed although ordinarily greater rigidity will be obtained by a firm attachment. Also there may be a stretcher or a chair or the like in the place of the bed shown. 'I'he two transverse horizontal top members 4 are preferably supported by braces or trusses 9, and the two longitudinal horizontal members 5 are preferably supported by similar braces or trusses I0, all to the end that a stable and solid framework be produced.

The framework shown as surrounding the bed serves as a support for a cross bar or track 1 serving to hold the lifter 21 to which the hammock 8 is attached. The cross bar 1 is shown secured to and held by the longitudinal members 5 by means of clamps 6 and plates I9, although obviously it may be secured in any other manner.

The hammock 8 may be of canvas or any other suitable material and may be provided with straps 25 serving to engage hooks 24 attached to the lifter 21.

The lifter 21 may be of any suitable shape but I have found that it is preferably constructed of a rectangular frame as shown particularly in Figure III of my drawings provided with braces or reinforcement members 28 connected by means of clamps 3D with a screw 3| traversing a screw threaded clamp or nut 33 which serves as a support for the connection of the lifter 21 with the cross bar or track 1. The screw 3| is provided with a crank handle 32. When the lifter 21 is attached to the cross bar 1 and the hammock 8 is weighted by the patient or invalid, the position of the lifter and therewith of the hammock can be adjusted by a simple turning of the screw 3| resulting in a change of the position of the clamp 33 on such screw 3|, the entire arrangement of screw 3| and clamp 33 thus forming a gravity adjuster for the lifter 21 and therewith for the hammock 8. The center of gravity of the weighted hammock 8 will always be below clamp 33. If the screw 3| is parallel to the lifter 21 and the center of gravity is below the clamp 33 the lifter will be balanced on a straight horizontal line, but if the center of gravity below the clamp 33 is at an acute or obtuse angle the lifter will be balanced 0n a line deviating from a straight horizontal line. When the patient or invalid rests in the hammock 8 but the center of gravity is such that a line through it to the clamp 33 forms an acute or obtuse angle with screw 3|, assumed to be parallel to the framework of the lifter, and it is desired to lift the patient in a straight horizontal position, a simple turning of the handle 32 will adjust the position of clamp 33 until an angle of 90 degrees is formed, thus permitting the patient to be lifted in a horizontal position. Similarly, if it is desired to lift the patient or invalid in a position other than a horizontal one the position of clamp 33 can be adjusted by turning handle 32 until an acute or obtuse angle as above described is obtained, depending on the desired inclination of the patient. It will be readily understood that any difference in the relative position of screw `3| to lifter 21 and to hammock 8 will introduce variations in the above arrangement, the principle of the adjustment arrangement, however, remaining the same. Referring to drawing Figure I it will be seen that screw 3| is not parallel to the frame of lifter 21 due to the particular construction of the lifter shown in said drawing, as will be more fully described hereinbelow, so that a variation in the arrangement is actually introduced, but for purposes of simplicity of understanding I prefer to describe the principle of my invention in connection with a screw 3| supposed to be in a parallel position to the lifter 21.

The longitudinal members of the lifter 21 may be straight or they may be curved in any desired manner, such curvature being compensated for by a varying length in the straps 25 and hooks 24 so as to assure a substantially smooth and straight position for the patient cr invalid. Ordinarily it is desirable to have the patient or invalid raised in such manner that while the main part of his body remains substantially horizontal the upper part of his body is slightly raised. While such raising of the upper part of a patients body can be obtained by shortening the straps 25 at the upper part of the hammock 8, I have found that it is desirable to achieve such raising by curving upwardly the front end of the lifter 21 as shown in Figure I, so that an obtuse angle as shown is formed between the two portions of the longitudinal members` of the frame of the lifter, as thus the body of "the patient or invalid is always positioned a certain distance from the lifter 21, which is highly desirable for the assurance of comfort and absence of injuries and which permits easy handling of the patient or invalid. As mentioned above the clamp or nut 33 of the lifter is connected with the cross bar 1. Referring particularly to Figure II, I have shown a hook 46 which engages a circular opening in clamp 33, said hook being attached to a sprocket 35, usually enclosed in casing 38. Cross bar or track 1 is provided with rails 41 for rollers 34 serving to hold a casing 48 containing a motor 49 with revolving shaft 50 provided with a worm 5| engaging gear 53 which either directly or indirectly through a pinion drives gear 54. Gear 54 is provided with a sprocket, not shown, which together with sprocket 35 carries the chain 31. The activation of the sprocket of gear 54 lifts or lowers in known manner the lifter 21 by means of the hoist arrangement shown. On casing 48 there is shown handle 55 which serves to start the motor in such manner as to lower or lift the lifter 21 or to stop the motor. Instead of a motor activated hoist I may employ of course a simple hand operated hoist in which case I can dispense with the casing 48 and simply attach gear 54 to roll wheels 34, either one or two such wheels being provided, the activation of such hoist being obtained for instance by the cranking of a handle attached to sprocket 35.

'I'he cross bar 1 projects substantially beyond the front of the framework surrounding the bed. Referring to Figure I the casing 48 is positioned above the bed of the patient. After the patient has been lifted as described the casing 48 attached to rollers 34 is moved forward along the said track 1, the patient or invalid thus being transported away from the bed to a position as shown in Figure II for lowering onto a stretcher, chair or the like, not shown, positioned next to the bed underneath the projecting extension of cross bar 1. When the patient thus rests in hammock 8 below the said projecting extension of said cross bar 1 a considerable downward stress is exercised on the said projecting end of the said cross bar, which stress is apt to change the location of the center of gravity so as to be outside the front longitudinal member 5, for which reason I provide stabilizing weights 23 attached to the rear ends of the transverse base member 3; also, if the uprights or standards 2 are formed of hollow tubular members I may lill the rear uprights with heavy metal such as lead.

The framework surrounding bed may of course consist of a simple framework more or less permanently secured together. In View of the fact, however, that a framework of a size suiicient to surround a bed or the like is usually too wide to permit its transportation through doors, which would necessitate its dismantling and re construction by a mechanically trained operator, I have devised and shown in the drawings a partially collapsible framework.

In Figures I, II, and IV, I have shown the framework in operative position, while in Figure V, I have shown the framework in completely collapsed position and ready for transportation. In order to permit the sideways collapse as shown in Figure V the top horizontal longitudinal members 5 and transverse members 4 are secured to the uprghts 2 by means of hinge joints 56. For the same reason trusses I are attached to the vertical standards 2 by means of hinges I2 or the like, which are prevented from sliding up and down by means of clamps II or the like, as shown particularly in Figure IX, and the two longitudinal horizontal members are provided with substantially triangular or the like reinforcements I3 and I3 with flat portions which will be positioned against each other, as shown in Figure IV, when the framework is assembled for operation, at which time they may be connected or secured together by the latch I4 held` in position in a slot formed between stop 40 and latch guide 4I, the said latch being attached to or part of one of the reinforcements I3 0r I3', and the said stop and the said latch guide being attached to or forming part of the other one of the reinforcements I3 or I3', in any case being arranged in such relative position that the latch guide 4I guides the latch I4 into its said position on reassembly as shown in Figures I and VI from the partially collapsed position as shown in Figure V. The latch I4 is held in position by means of spring I6 and can be released by means of a slight pressure exerted on press bar I8 attached to latch I4.

When the latch I4 is thus released it is possible to bring about the sideways collapse as shown in Figure V. The nat end of reinforcement I3 will rest against the opposite longitudinal member 5 and the flat end of reinforcement I3 will rest against its opposite longitudinal member 5, latch I4 engaging firmly a bracket provided in the said member 5 or engaging the upper portion thereof if said member consists of a T-shaped bar as shown in the drawings, such position being shown specifically in Figure VII, thus immobilizing the framework in its collapsed position and simplifying the transportation thereof. Referring to Figures I and VI it will be seen in connnection with the arrangement of latch I4 that underneath said latch I have provided the further guide 42, actually made in one piece with stop 40 and latch guide 4|, for the purpose of securing a perfect joint of reinforcements I3 and I3 when rmly engaged.

In order to permit such sideways collapse as above described the cross bar 1 is, as shown particularly in Figures IV, V, and VIII, attached to guide pins 51 adapted to move n the circular openings 20 and 2I of the swivel plates I9 secured to the horizontal longitudinal members 5 by means of clamps 6. In the center of the said swivel plates, an equal distance apart from and between the circular openings 20 and 2I I provide a small vertical pin 58, serving to engage a small round hole in the cross bar 1 positioned half way between guide pins 51 in such manner that the guide pins 51 describe a circular motion around such small vertical pin which serves to properly direct the movement of guide pins 51 during the assembly or disassembly of the framework as described.

My invention as above described thus furnishes an extremely simple mechanical device for lifting patients and invalids from a bed and for transporting them in a comfortable position from the bed to a stretcher or chi ir, or vice versa, and further provides a sturdy and stable support for the lifter and hammock, the entire apparatus being adapted to be operated easily by a single attendant who need not have any mechanical training whatever, and being further adapted to be easily transported through narrow doors from one room to another.

While I have described in detail the best embodiment of my invention it will be obvious to anyone skilled in the mechanical arts that various other embodiments of the principle of the operation of my invention are possible and it will be understood that such other embodiments fall within the scope of my invention. For instance it is obviously possible in many cases to avoid the use of any supporting framework of the type described and to attach the cross bar to a non-collapsible support or to the ceiling above a bed or a row of beds, and in some cases it will be possible to merely attach directly to a fixed and not necessarily movable point the hoist carrying my improved lifter.

In the appended claim the term invalids shall be interpreted to include patients or other sick persons, and the term lifting shall be interpreted to also mean its reverse equivalent, namely, lowering. The term bed shall include stretchers or other supports on which the patient or invalid may rest.

What I claim is:

An apparatus for lifting invalids comprising a supporting frame consisting at least of four vertical members, two longitudinal horizontal top members and two transverse horizontal topv members, all said transverse members being rmly secured to said vertical members and all said longitudinal members being revolvably secured to said vertical members, whereby said framework is partly collapsible in` a sideways direction, means for rigidifying said supporting frame, said means including a latch extending from one horizontal member of said supporting frame and a slot for said latch, said slot being formed in an integral part of the opposite horizontal member of said supporting frame, whereby the supporting frame can be rigidii'led by said latch rmly engaging said slot, a cross bar extending from one longitudinal horizontal top member to the opposite longitudinal horizontal top member of said supporting frame and revolvably secured to such horizontal members, said cross bar being provided with at least one rail carrying at least one roller, a lifter holding a hammock and means connecting said lifter and said roller, said means being adapted to mechanically lift said lifter.

PAUL A. REUTER. 

